After a month of weighing the decision of opting in, participating partially or opting out of the newest State of Colorado program designed to assist workers with paid family leave, the Lewis-Palmer School District 38 Board of Education unanimously decided to opt out of Colorado Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI), consistent with the decisions of all surrounding school districts in the region.
FAMLI, which was created following a vote by State of Colorado taxpayers, is designed to allow employees to pay into an insurance pool, and ultimately continue to receive pay when life circumstances such as a growing family would prevent an employee from working. For employers that opt to participate, there is a total cost of 0.9% of payroll, split between the employer and staff members at 0.45% each. For employers that opt out, staff may still participate in the program at the 0.45% rate by using the State of Colorado portal.
“Staff can still participate in FAMLI,” said Misty Manchester, Director of Human Resources. “I plan to send information to all staff with where to go to opt-in and how to sign up with links. We want to make sure the people who want the benefit are able to find it and use it.”
According to Manchester, the district’s recommendation to opt out followed a review of the program, which would have cost D38 and its employees between $150,000 and $200,000 on each side. Manchester said not all staff would use the program, but all staff would be paying the same percentage for it, meaning it did not make sense for each member of the D38 team.
District staff, through an informational survey, said they agreed. More than 10% of district employees anonymously responded to a survey asking if they supported or opposed the decision to opt out, with 90% agreeing D38 should opt out of the FAMLI program.
Employees can expect to receive a letter informing them about this decision in the near future.